Association for Middle Level Education

Association for Middle Level Education

Browse by Topic:Young Adolescent Development

The social, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs of middle schoolers

The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) emphasizes that attending to the social, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs and assets of middle school children is central to their intellectual development....

Watching for even the small details can create a responsive culture that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of students

I bet you didn't know that you signed up to be a triage nurse now did you? Meeting the social, emotional, and academic needs of middle school students is a lot like working the triage desk in a busy hospital. The...

Four ideas to encourage middle schoolers to choose kindness

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on intentionally fostering kindness and practicing peer respect. We don't want youth to simply not do the wrong thing, but do what is right instead—treat their...

The one bold move that evoked their compassion

Sean sat in the big gray chair in my office, his head between his knees. "I have no friends anymore," he said. I handed him a box of tissues and he wiped his eyes. "No one will talk to me. If I try to sit at someone's...

This is part 4 in "Mentor Me" questions about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). There are five components of SEL: self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness, and...

When two seventh graders lead a staff meeting about social drama

Seventh-grade teacher Laura Merrill looked around the room and asked her colleagues to close their computers. "If our students are brave enough to present to the entire staff," she said, "we can give them our full...

Many young adolescents desire to "blend in" by hiding or shedding certain aspects of their identities due to social pressures. How can I help students view differences as strengths?
This is part 2 in "Mentor Me"...

Teachers can help students during developmental changes.

Research findings and ongoing studies provide middle level professionals with information to help them continue to develop their understanding about the significant developmental changes that take place during...

Students share valuable insights when we take time to listen.

Middle level educators engage in a variety of professional development experiences in order to continue to learn about effective ways to work with young adolescents as they develop their identities, ideas, and...

This is part 1 of 5 in "Mentor Me" questions about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). There are five components of SEL: Self-Awareness, Responsible Decision–Making, Relationship Skills, Social Awareness, and...